Anybody know anything about a Stock Model T?

Well, I have been wheeling and dealing on some junk lately and after the smoke cleared, I ended up with a fat wad and this T Coupe. It runs good and all, but I took 'er for a spin last night, and when I made the u turn to head back to the ranch, I engaged the "Go" pedal and it just sat there and growled at me. I ended up pulling it back home with my 4 wheeler. What happened? It sounds like it is coming from the tranny area.

I hate to go all "Boyd" with it and ditch the stock running gear because it is so complete and original, but it wouldn't be the first time I cut up something nice! Ha Ha Ha.

I'd rather fix it and peddle it to a restorer type guy partially because I knew the old guy that owned the car for years and secondly because I have enough projects.

 

Think of it as a race powerglide with no converter--bands and clutches, mechanically engaged, probably just needs a band tightened via the little hatch on top of trans, 11/16" wrench...find Manyolcars, I think he has stock T knowledge.
Model T club of America has huge, informative website.

 

I now know how long it takes you to walk back from the turn off down from your house! What time are the festivities this weekend? You were right about Kurland so I am going on Monday.

 

It takes a while for the walk, but the wait for someone to come and get me was a lot longer!

Thanks for the info! I will check it out.

 

Which pedal is the "go" pedal?
Do you mean the low/neutral/high pedal on the left?

 

Monkeybiker on here has plenty of experience with stock T's also.

 

Deuce Rails, yes, that would be the one.

 

If the pedal is all the way out and the e-brake lever is all the way forward and it still growls. Try tightening the band. You can take of the inspection cover as well and check the band condition. You can have the band material replaced and then re-installed. It's not hard just tedious with phat hands. OH and don't drop a nut or spring in the transmission. Don't ask how I know.

Doug

 

Yep. Get you a Model T wrench to work on that thing.. it will just about dismantle the whole damn car.



BTW, I am in love with that little car. I'd hate to see you cut up such a complete T to make a hot rod when you could just get a fiberglass body.

 

Cool...I can't wait to take it on a cocktail cruise around the homestead.

 

We may just have to sit in it and drink if I can't figure it out!

By the way, I ain't too opposed to cutting up a perfectly good original. Here is the spacetruck when I first got it for those of you who don't remember.

 

The band wrench is actually the funny open end in the kit--it's small, about the size you'd expect for a 9/16X1/2, but has the 11/16 size. So it can fit, it has vey thin sides, too weak for aught but adjusting. Ford also made a box ratchet Z series tool, but that was an option, probably cost 15 cents extra for the gold chainers...

Go read Grapes of Wrath and Cannery Row--more entertaining than a T shop manual, but contain all the same info...

 

There was a whole box of those wrenches at the auction where my buddy bought this car. They were going for big bucks though. Maybe I should have bought a box so I don't have to take a grinder to one of my good wrenches to get it to fit in there, eh?

 

Sounds like your bands out of adjustment.
Pop the lid off to see what the adjusters do - don't need to if you've done it before, but you'll be able to see if there's any linings left.
As you've driven it, guess you know which pedal is which, but for the other listeners at home...
Left hand pedal - gears. Down to the floor for low, lift off for high.
Centre pedal - reverse. Press it down to go back the way you came.
Right hand pedal - brake. Experienced T users balance slowing down between the reverse and brake pedal to even out the wear.

The handbrake has a litttle steel ramp on it so that pulling it halfway on holds the gear(LH) pedal in neutral ie about halfway down. In this situation, standing on the GO pedal (early drivers equated it to kicking open the stable door...) should give you first, lifting off should then be neutral, letting the hanbrake all the way off gives you top.
Wierd experience, barrelling along without a foot on the pedals.
Top is not engaged by a band, but by a large die spring at the back of the box.
If it's bands, try tightening them up a turn or two (I needed heat on my first engine to move the adjusters). There's three in there for low, reverse and brake.
But then if it won't back up either, there may be something more serious afoot. Drop me a line if you need anything else.
Or best just pop it in a big box, I'll give it a new home...!
Phil

 

Earlier in the thread you said you had too many projects - nothing wrong with that man! Keep it and strip the fenders and put a five speed behind a OHV converted A or B engine!

 

Monkeybiker, thanks for the info. I had most of that figured out within the first 5 minutes of sitting in it. But like I said, it took me 5 minutes to figure it out. Ha ha ha

It must be a band issue then because reverse doesn't work at all, and......um, neither to the brakes. I must have used up what was left of the forward one. I guess I will check out that site and try to see if I can get some new ones for it...or? I hope it ain't any worse than that. Oh who the hell am I kidding, I could really give a shit. If it is, then plan B!

forever4 I was thinking along those lines for plan B except for a motor with 4 more cylinders like a 348 Chevy with a tri power, or a 425 Nailhead, just because I have those available to use! Ha Ha Ha

I'd rather keep her a stocker though.

 

Worth popping the lid just to see what's left on 'em. Y'never know, there's probably some adjustment left, but don't run the rivets on the drum, they don't like it and can explode. Might not look like it but you can change the bands throught the hatch without lifting the hogshead on the late engine. Drop ANYTHING in there though and you're stuffed!
Still reckon it needs adding to the pile outside my garage though...

 

Wow! A stock Model T is high on my list of 'must have one day' car list. But....I'd prolly build a 20's-30's style gow job out of it. Anyone remeber the T roadster in TRJ a few issues back? Built in the late 20's, 4 banger, Buffalo wire wheels, stock interior, leaned back stock glass. Man, what a bitchin' car.

 

I would imagine that growling I heard would be the rivets on the drum, Ha ha ha

It was rather metallic sounding, not in a good way.

 

Yet to hear a good way...
Well, whip the tin cover off - peer in and see what's left. Of - that tin cover has to be the right way up so that oil falls back on the drums. Sometimes they get cleaned and put back on with the uncorroded side out, cos it looks newer. Then the bands wear out.
Will it drive in high? Hold it in neutral on the handbrake, handful of revs on the hand throttle and slowly let the handbrake off. High is a plate clutch at the back of the box to lock it all up for 1:1 top. If THAT slips - she has to come out.
And if it's a 27 lump I'd love it, but it's a million miles away and I should be looking for 51 styleline bits...

 

That won't work either. Same noise. Sounds like it may be a bigger problem after all.

I guess I'll just have to peek in there and see. Thanks for all the info!

Yngrodder has a buddy that is big into T's that may come over next week and take a peek at it if I can't figure it out. This stuff is somewhat alien like if you have never seen it before.

 

MAGNETS!!!!!!!!!!!! and Magneto. First rule of thumb when working on a T transmission is to pack the sides with rags to catch any nuts or washers that might fall off the band adjusters! Looks like a good solid car, are those wheels attached to wire wheel hubs or boogered wood wheel hubs?

 

Oh - and Mac's have got 'em for $26.50 for a lining set

 

DO NOT put detergent oil in a Model T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

37 Kid thanks for the tips, got any others for us T stupid folks?

 

"This stuff is somewhat alien like if you have never seen it before."

I keep the Model T shop manual on the "Parapysychology" shelf in my little library. C. H. Wills is generally believed to have been the same alien responsible for bakelite, Krakatoa, and later the SBC rocker arm.

 

If it won't climb a hill in low, reverse up.
Same if you hear the front main or big end knock... starved of oil.
Same if your low on petrol (except the 26/27 cowl tank)
Jack up one rear wheel when starting from cold.
Oh, and pop it in high (handbrake off) if starting on the mag - moves the magnets nearer the coils.
Don't put EP oils in the back axle - eats the babbit thrust washers.
That's a few for starters.
Hey Darren? When are you coming to have a drive? Before I sell it?

 

PM me if you want to sell it as is. I had to sell my 26 last year to pay medical bills when I broke my leg. Would love to get another one.

Have trailer will travel!

 

I may have married one of those cars.....I hear something that growls at me every evening........ .

Oh-I figured the T had all those pedals to prevent drunk driving .......might help stop that -HUH?

 

I think it is in the rear end or the axles somewhere. I have a buddy with a stash of parts. He may have a rear end for me, we'll see. He knows he has a tranny.

As for drunk driving, It sure would be interesting. I had intentions of trying it tonight in the yard but it appears that ain't gonna work out.